The transfer deadline is a day that football fans across the country always look forward to and hope their club will bring in one or two players just so they can feel a part of the action.

For many years under former manager Paul Tisdale, it was always a bit of a non-entity with his transfer business all done and dusted long before the mad, last minute dash for new signings by their rivals.

All that changed last year, however, when City were involved in their busiest transfer deadline, ever. Kyle Edwards and Kane Wilson both arrived from West Bromwich Albion in loan deals, there was disappointment when David Wheeler was sold to QPR, but that was quickly replaced by joy when the club broke its transfer record to bring Jayden Stockley back to the club from Aberdeen and snapped up Hiram Boateng on a free transfer.

So, with Matt Taylor looking to bring in two more players between now and when the loan window closes on August 31, we take a look at the hits and misses City have had in the loan and free agents market in recent years.

HITS

Exeter City player Jayden Stockley during the Skybet League Two Play-off Semi-Final 1st Leg Match between Lincoln City and Exeter City at Sincil Bank, Lincoln on May 12th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK

JAYDEN STOCKLEY

Stockley may have been a club record signing in last summer's transfer window, but he was already well known to City fans after a hugely successful loan spell during the 2015/16 season.

He scored ten goals in 22 appearances for the Grecians, which ultimately led to him joining Aberdeen. Stockley chose them over City as they could offer him considerably more than the Grecians at that time.

However, he was back in Devon last summer signing for a club record fee of £100,000, before plundering 25 goals as the club made it to Wembley for the League Two play-off final, where they were soundly beaten 3-1 by Coventry.

Certainly ranks as one of the best loan signings made by Paul Tisdale and now one of the Grecians' most saleable assets with his progress being monitored by Preston North End and Ipswich Town.

Goal celebrations for Hiram Boateng of Exeter City during the Sky Bet League 2 play-off semi-final 2nd Leg Match between Exeter City and Lincoln City at St James Park, Exeter, Devon on May 17. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

HIRAM BOATENG

Arrived at Exeter on the same day as Stockley as the usually quiet Grecians became the busiest team in the country on deadline day in the summer of 2017.

Boateng was known to many Exeter fans as he had been such a success for Plymouth Argyle during a loan spell from Crystal Palace in the 2015/16 season, so when his arrival was announced, on a free transfer, it certainly raised eyebrows.

Boateng often displayed his quality last season, but perhaps did not get the goals his play deserved, although he did come up trumps with a sensational goal against Lincoln in the play-off semi-final second-leg, which gave Exeter a 2-0 lead in the tie.

Much will be expected of the former Crawley, Bristol Rovers and Northampton loanee as the Grecians look to go one step further in 2018/19.

ALAN GOW

Gow was one of several new players that arrived in March 2012 as the Grecians bravely fought relegation despite an injury crisis.

The former Plymouth Argyle and Glasgow Rangers man had just been released by Indian Premier League side Kingfisher East Bengal and despite his moments of magic between March and May, they were not enough to keep City in the division.

The fans loved Gow, though, recognising his undoubted skill and it was something of a coup for Exeter when they persuaded him to sign for two years at the end of the season.

But Gow struggled to stay injury free and in total, the Scot went on to make 63 appearances for the Grecians before being released. However, he left City fans with many memories such as his sensational rabona goal at Accrington and delightful chip in a 3-1 Devon derby win against his former employers, Plymouth Argyle.

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MISSES

ROHAN RICKETTS

The former Arsenal man joined Exeter at the age of 29 in March 2012 when they were staring at relegation from League One full in the face.

Ricketts was brought in to bolster the midfield following his release by Shamrock Rovers a few months earlier, but his arrival failed to get Exeter out of trouble and they were relegated to the fourth tier.

He made only one appearance for the Grecians – as a 68 minute substitute in a 2-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers – and was released a month later.

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RYAN LOFT

The story of the borrowed Tottenham Hotspur striker must rank as one of the strangest in City’s history.

He came in January, when the club needed some fresh legs, looked absolutely terrible in his one and only appearance in a 1-0 defeat to Mansfield, he was hauled off at half-time and not seen again all season and then snapped up by Premier League side Leicester following his inevitable release by Spurs!